Born Milton Greenwald, Kidd started his career as a ballet dancer with Lincoln Kirstein’s troupe, Baller Caravan, and eventually joined what is now know as American Ballet Theater in 1942, dancing in such works as Jerome Robbins’ “Fancy Free.” He choreographed works for the company as well.
In 1947, he was asked to choreograph the Broadway musical Finian’s Rainbow, which earned him his first Tony. His other trophies were for Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Li’l Abner, and Destry Rides Again; he directed the latter two shows as well. His many other Broadway credits, as choreographer and/or director, included Wildcat, Subways Are for Sleeping, Skyscraper, The Rothschilds, Cyrano, and The Goodbye Girl. He also choreographed Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which closed before coming to Broadway, and directed and choreographed the short-lived 1980 Broadway revival of The Music Man with Dick Van Dyke.
Kidd’s Hollywood career included choreography and or musical staging for the films Where’s Charley?, Guys and Dolls, The Band Wagon, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Star!, Hello, Dolly!, and Movie Movie!. He also co-starred in the popular MGM musical It’s Always Fair Weather with Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, and Cyd Charisse, as well as the 1975 film Smile. Kidd also worked on numerous television specials with such stars as Julie Andrews and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Kidd is survived by his wife Shelah Hackett, and four children, Kristine, Susan, Amy, and Matthew.
